ella enchanted: the site

Of Humans and Fairies
by Tessandra (© Tessandra, 2002)

Chapter Sixteen :: Yet A Gift

I was seated on the left of Prince Tullon, who sat at the left of Lord Forlakent. Mariva sat across from me, next to Aiven, and the Abella's were seated one next to me, and one next to Mariva. Everyone smiled very politely at each other, nodding and mouthing compliments and greetings as we began an elaborate breakfast, far worse then the ones at Court. There, everyone was at least subtle in their attempts to gain favor from the rich and powerful; or at least, the few nobles I'd met were.

All right, I can count the Court breakfasts I've had on one hand, but it certainly seemed like they were less fawning.

Lord Forlakent was over-agreeable, and there was more food at that first-meal then at any of the others I'd had. Give me a roll, some fruit, and liquid chocolate and I was set. Those items were more luxuries then anything I was aquatinted with.

And although he served us four courses, the hot chocolate was watered down. It was downright insulting.

I barely had time to notice that the noble's drink wasn't as nice as usual before my attention was caught by the flirting glances from the twins to Aiven and Tullon. Mariva raised her eyebrows in amusement as I discreetly pantomimed flinging a spoonful of soup onto one of the ladies creamy velvet gown. It would probably stain, though, so I resisted. After all, the world would surely end if some rich noble's gown was ruined.

"Mariva," the Abella next to me said, "His Highness tells me you are interested in paintings from the Callaen Dynasty. We are honored to have two painting from then. Would you like to see them?"

Mariva and I exchanged glances. Mariva did love to see the rare painting from five hundred years ago, most of which had been burned for a reason that I did not know or care about. She nodded at the Abella, smiling politely. "I would love to see them," she said in a neutral voice.

When breakfast ended, she we stood together, ready to follow the Abella to the paintings. But the other twin turned to me and invited me to see the jewels her family owned in such a polite way that I just had to agree.

All right, maybe the reason I agreed was because Aiven sent me a sharp glare as I opened my mouth to decline.

Mariva followed one Abella from the hall, and I followed the other in the opposite direction. Our footsteps echoed quietly in the empty corridors as the Abella led me to the jewels. I wondered which one she was; the curious, rather empty headed twin from last night, or the girl in the garden.

We entered a small, yet luxurious room, where we stopped side by side. It was well lit by a wall of windows facing the sun. Across from the windows was a display of glittering jewels, strategically placed to catch the sunlight. My eyes drifted over them, carefully half shut and my expression politely interested.

The Abella began to talk about them in a cheerful, happy voice. I half listened, looking at the different jewels and wondering if there was a particular reasons the two Abella's had separated Mariva and me, or if I was just being paranoid. My gaze swept the jewels. It stopped at a particularly lovely pair of earrings and bracelets. Elven made, certainly. Tari would love them.

Would I ever see her or Dein again? I wondered, eyes fixed on the jewelry. I had not thought to see Johen, but I had. What had happened to Tari and her brother? Did they know what had happened to Johen and me?

I realized that the Abella had stopped speaking. I glanced at her to see her staring through an archway into an open hall. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "Would you mind terribly if I left you alone for a moment?" She smiled apologetically.

I nodded, and she darted through the arch. I returned to admiring the jewelry; there were three other elven made pieces, one by a famous sculpture. He had a new approach; the jade horses he had carved looked like it was rearing in the wind, mane whipping back and forth -

"I apologize for leaving you," the Abella said, re-entering the room. She noticed the direction of my gaze. "Do you like the elven jewels?"

I nodded. "They are beautiful. I especially admire the silver and emerald bracelets and earrings."

She smiled. "There is a pair of ruby earrings that compliment them. I would be honored if you accept the gift. They are not of elven craft, but they are still lovely." She went to one of the cases and drew out a box. Opening it, she offered the earrings inside to me.

They glistened, the tiny facets on them reflecting a thousand beams of sunlight. "They're a gift?" I asked, looking down at them. "You don't want anything for them?"

The Abella looked startled, probably at my unladylike question. I was too used to people only giving me things for a price to expect seemingly random gifts from unknown nobility. "No," she hurriedly assured me. "I do not want anything. They are a gift to you."

You do want something, I thought. You want me to mention this gift to the prince or the lord Seer so they'll look favorably towards you, whoever you are. "Thank you -" I paused deliberately, giving in to the urge to actually find out whom I was talking to.

"Oh, I'm Isabella," she told me with a laugh. "It is ever so hard to keep track of twins, is it not?"

Maybe, I thought, she was the twin from upstairs. She was using fancy sentences - but she didn't seem anymore empty-headed then either of the twins had at breakfast. Maybe they were really both deep and only pretended to be superficial to confuse people.

Right.

The earrings were pretty, however, and though I had no intentions of mentioning them to anyone but Mariva, I took them with a smile.

"Would you like to see the garden? It is beautiful, and has several rare plants in it. I think you would enjoy it."

So she was the Abella from last night, and Annabella was the one I met in the morning, who had warned me not to tell her sister that much. Well, I didn't plan on telling either of them that much.

"Oh!"

Both Isabella and I turned around to see the other Abella in the archway. Her eyes flicked from me to her twin and back again.

"Hello Anna," the twin with me said. She frowned. "Aren't you supposed to be with Mariva?"

"I - I just left her for a second. Father did, after all, tell us to give parting gifts and I need to get one." Her eyes fastened on the earrings in my hand, and she also frowned. "Oh, Is, you're not giving her THOSE are you?"

"I am," Isabella said steadily.

"Well, I won't let you dishonor the house with such a poor gift," Annabella sniffed. She wandered eerily over to the emerald and silver bracelets and earrings. "Wouldn't you like these instead?" she offered.

How about you just give me everything? I thought, amused as the sisters glared at each other.

"Well, wouldn't you like these better?" Annabella said again, taking the elven jewelry in her hands and extending it towards me.

"They are both beautiful," I murmured. Hah! My first diplomatic court saying!

The twins stared hard at each other, as if they were silently trying to wear the other down. It had never worked for me; but then, maybe it was because I got bored before my staring opponent did.

"Take these," Annabella said, thrusting he silver and emerald jewelry into my hands and taking the ruby earrings away as I watched in bemusement. "I think I'll stay with Lady Damslae, Isabella," she said to her sister. "Why don't you go see Lady Mariva?"

Isabella smirked, then curtsied to me. She flounced out of the room, leaving Annabella and I alone.

After a few minutes of fake conversation where Annabella kept sneaking sidelong glances at me, she finally said, "My twin - she is - well, as I said earlier, not very trustworthy."

I leaned back against the tables full of jewels. "Why not?" I asked.

Annabella hesitated. "She talks too much," she said finally, which told me absolutely nothing at all, and with that we went back to the main hall.

**********************

I think everyone was glad to get away from Lord Forlakent's manor. I certainly was - if I had to spend another minute with Isabella or Annabella I would scream. I was much happier to spend my days on horseback.

Mariva and I spent the first four days of the journey talking away every second. I hardly spoke to anyone else, as Aiven and Tullon were busy being deep in thought and the knights preferred looking at us to seeing if we actually knew how to converse. The maids and other servants were to awed by Mariva's status as niece of the king and betrothed to the Bastian Seer to approach her. I had absolutely no idea how they viewed me, but they left be alone as well. I didn't care; Mariva and I had more then enough to talk about.

She told me about being raised at court, about the jewels and servants, the intrigues and plots. She told me about meeting the Lord Seer C -, and about her parents' neglect. She filled in all the details I'd never known, fascinating things that I would never have guessed by just seeing the money loaded nobles of Cyri.

In turn, I told her about my life in Yvonhe's capital, about the hunger, the fear of rival thieves and assassins. I told her of the half elven Tari and Dein, and about Johen. One night I even, haltingly, told her about Prince Praithan, my banishment, and the guards. She listened silently, sympathy but no pity on her face. When I finished, she hugged me, tears in her eyes. Sitting back on our beds, we slept.

****************

On the fifth day, Aiven pulled me aside and to the front of our column early in the afternoon.

"Hello again," I said brightly. I hadn't really spoken more then five sentences to him we'd left Forlakent's manor.

"Hello."

I waited a minute, but he didn't add anything else. "Didn't you want to say something?" I encouraged, looking at him expectantly.

Aiven glanced at me, then stared straight ahead. "We are going to be at war," he said, jaw clenched.

I swiveled my head and stared at him in mock astonishment. "Really?!" I exclaimed. "So *that's* why everyone's so edgy!"

He glared at me. "I am TRYING to explain what is going on. Unless you don't want to hear?" I rolled my eyes at him, but nodded. "Well. We are, as you know, going to Bast, where the Council will meet. The Council is a gathering of the younger Seers, the High Nobility with mage-blood, the Highest nobles, and the strongest mages. There are about five hundred members of the Council. There is then the High Council, which consists of the twenty Seers attending, ten mage Nobility, the strongest ten Mages, and ten members or representatives of the highest courts in the land. The Council will be the soldiers of this war, along with other all the other mages and Seers that will join us. People without magic will have no need to fight. The battles we fight will be on physical battlefields, but our weapons will be our minds more often then swords."

"And . . ." I hesitated when asking this question. "If it comes to normal people and soldiers, how many will fight?"

He didn't answer for a moment; instead in stared off into the distance, reminding me of a hero in the ballads Mariva had convinced me to read. His eyes seemed to glaze slightly, and I jerked Dewdrop to a stop, afraid he would prophesize.

"Whoever can fight," he said, his voice still normal, if grim. "They have thousands who will fight completely for them, willingly or coerced, and weapons we do not understand. If it comes to ordinary people fighting - hopefully it will not. We also have thousands who will fight for us; mages and companies of kings' soldiers. If we need to pull ordinary foot soldiers, peasants and anyone other then the most elite of forces - then the entire world will be turned into a battleground. Perhaps," he said in a speculating voice, looking at me again, "we will even have the fairies and the elves to help us."

I didn't heat that last part; I was too busy concentrating on the battles he had spoken of. "Will you fight?" I asked in an embarrassingly small voice, eyes focused on a patch of moss below me.

"I should be in the first battles," he said in an unexpectedly angry voice. "I should be in the first wave that goes up against the enemies. I have earned that right with my visions and my knowledge. I should raise my sword on the first battle on the field of Canora, or at least See the armies movement there."

I looked at him in surprise. He wanted to fight in the first battle? To be one of those most likely to die? And even though he was willing to do this . . . "You don't get to," I stated. "Why aren't you allowed to fight?"

"Why do you think, *Princess*?" he asked bitterly. I was startled; I didn't think I had ever heard him bitter before. "I found you, I discovered you, so now I have to stay with you. Since I found you, I am trapped with the job of looking after you every second and making sure you don't do something incredibly stupid, which many of the Great Seers agreed you would try to do if you were allowed to. If you die, are captured, disappear, run away, try to be difficult -"

"What happens if I decide to be difficult?"

"Then I will persuade you not to," he said harshly.

That sounded cheery.

"If ANYTHING happens to you at all, it makes this war much more . . . difficult."

"How difficult?" I asked curiously.

He dealt me a hard glare. "We lose the Eternal Lah'nayin's daughter. We lose the protection, the healing. We lose the assurance that no matter what happens there will be some safety. We lose everything that comes with the daughter of the Eternal Lah'nayin, the powers, the edge over the other side. Not to mention the fact that we would lose the *Princess Laeliena of Lahtorli* who is not even supposed to EXIST for another several hundred years. If you die then Lahtorli will never be united, and the elves and fairies will be strewn throughout the land. They have waited for you for thousand of years, waited for your rebirth. And Lahtorli's princess is the Shien, who definitely should not exist now. The only way for that to be possible would be for the Shien to be the Saint and NOT Laeliena, though we have already proved that is impossible. So you must be the Shien, and you must be kept alive to restore Lahtorli, or the course of history that we plan for will completely be changed -"

"That you plan for?" I said sharply. "What, do you manipulate time so that it works to your advantage?"

"It is our -" he broke off, mouth tightening, and he looked away. When he turned back, though, he was reluctantly grinning at me. "You probably know more then any other mor - normal human about Seer's and our prophecies. You don't need to know more."

"So you DO try to control time," I concluded thoughtfully, gazing at Aiven.

He refused to answer.

"You have to stay with me," I said, backtracking. "So I suppose you and your Seers are planning to control my life forever? I suppose you'll be at my side my entire life?"

Despite my slightly joking tone, his face was completely serious. "Until one of us dies," he answered solemnly.

Well, that certainly answered the question.

"And I have no choice?"

He groaned, as if he was tired of being the Seer and just wanted to go be a young, irresponsible lord. "Do you really WANT the world to end up in complete darkness and horror?"

"Only if it will annoy you," I said brightly, and to my surprise, he grinned.

"Almost anything you do will annoy me somehow," he agreed. "You seem to delight in -"

"Aiven!"

Both of us glanced over to where Prince Tullon was. He was riding toward us. "Have you forgotten about lunch?" he asked once he had reached our side.

Aiven looked surprised for a moment. "Oh. Lunch. Of course."

Tullon laughed. "Unlike you, SOME of us need to eat." He turned to me and made a bow, which was one of the most impressive things I had seen him do, considering we were in horseback. "Would you honor me with your presence, my lady? I've been meaning to ask you about your magic, but my cousin's been monopolizing your time."

I looked at him quizzically. "My magic?"

"The rain," he explained. "In the garden a week ago. The Princess Laeliena is supposed to have some unusual powers, after all."

"I am?"

He nodded.

Sometimes, I thought, I felt like shouting, Surprise! I'm really NOT the Princess of Lahtorli or the Eternal Lah'nayin's daughter, I'm just a thief! Life would be so much easier . . . Mariva and Aiven had explained to me what they knew, or felt I should know, about my position in things, but it felt like they were talking about someone else. The daughter of the Eternal Lah'nayin and the princess of Lahtorli had so many prophesies concerning them that it gave me a headache trying to put them all together.

Sometimes I wished so much that I was still on the streets of Cyri, darting my hands into nobles' pockets and laughing with Johen, Tari, Dein, and the rest of our group.

And then other times I wanted to be everything I was told that I was, live up to these nobles expectations and more so, prove I was worth more then a kid off the back alleys . . .

Most of the time, though, I was happy. It startled me to think about that; we were on the edge of war, I was forced into being two people I knew nothing about, yet I was happy.

I also would have a bleeding brain if I tried to puzzle out my life anymore.

"Damslae," Aiven called as I began to follow Tullon back to the main column. I turned Dewdrop back alongside Aiven, and looked at him inquiringly.

"I -" he began, then looked away from me, seemingly at a lost for words. I swallowed a smile. There was probably something mean about being amused when Aiven didn't know what to say, but it happened so rarely to him that I felt it was practically my duty to enjoy it when it happened.

"I know how much you liked the jewelry Lord Forlakent gave you," he said with a smile. "And I know you must be suffering from stealing things withdrawal -"

"You think just because I'm traveling with nobility that I've given up stealing?" I said indignantly. "Don't be ridiculous." I fingered by newly acquired silk ribbon in my hair and grinned.

He rolled his eyes. "All right, I WISH you'd given up stealing - and you will within a month - and so I got you something.

I was too interested in what it was then arguing about his pathetic idea of me giving up stealing in a month. He reached into one of his riding coat's pockets and drew out a package wrapped in silk. I unwrapped it slowly, staring down at the necklace in my hands. Strands of silver were woven with perfect, tiny pearls in am unusual pattern.

"Thank you," I said softly, forcing the unfamiliar words out.

Aiven shrugged. "It's been sitting around for awhile, and I certainly can't wear it. I had to give it to someone."

I smiled slightly, watching him. For something that had been "sitting around for a while," he was watching me very carefully to see if I liked it.

Chapter Seventeen :: The Bastian Empire

Bast. The Golden Empire. City of Riches.

        It was a huge, sprawling capital, far bigger than Cyri, and three, maybe four times the size of Lonyar, Sontái's capital. Three times the Bastian Emperor's had tried to build walls to contain their city, but it always kept growing. Now the walls contained different districts. Inside the first circle was the original size of the capital, as big as Lonyar, with palace and grounds, the nobles' district, the rich commoners and the famous market. Rich gardens and courtyards decorated this well kept center. Inside the second wall the middle class lived, with many more markets, inns and gambling places then the more aristocratic center. Beyond the second wall, contained by the third, was a mix of middle class cityfolk and different ethnic cultures who liked to live near each other in this great city. Beyond the last wall, it was anyone's guests, with dark twisting allies of the thieves mixed with opulent city homes of nobles who could not it within the first wall.

        I stared down at what I could see of the city from atop the hill we had stopped at. I could make out the tall, splendid palace on the horizon, at the center of the city. Many turrets and balconies stuck out from it, in particular two graceful towers that arched high into the sky, connected by bridges.

        Aiven brought his horse alongside Dewdrop as I drunk it all in. "Impressed?" he asked.

        Before I had a chance to answer, a party of about two dozen thundered up to us. "Aiven!" cried the young man in the lead. "Imagine seeing you here," he said with a grin.

        "Managed to escape Kavahtar, I see," Aiven said, leaning away from his horse to grasp the other youth's hand in welcome.

        "Harder then you'd expect. I thought the old man would die on the spot and I'd have to safeguard his knowledge until his successor is found."

        I looked at the newcomer, frowning. Something seemed familiar about him, a little bit different from everyone else . . . My eyes widened in realization and I could have hit myself at the obvious answer. He was a Seer - the familiar air he had was like Aiven - that of a not quite normal person. And Aiven had told me there would be a gathering of many Seers in Bast.

        Aiven turned and gestured at me. Ah, so I hadn't been forgotten, I thought as I nudged Dewdrop up to them.

        "I've brought a guest," Aiven said with a small grin on his face. "This is -" he hesitated, as if not sure how to explain me now that he'd brought me up. "Who we've been looking for," he said softly.

        The other Seer started, staring at me. "You mean - Her daughter?" he asked, eyes never leaving my face. He looked absolutely stunned.

        "Yes," Aiven said. "I found her."

        The youth's look slowly turned to an expression I didn't recognize, but seemed to be a cross between awe and amusement. "Did you?" he said, hitting Aiven's shoulder. "Imagine that! Our warrior!" Aiven frowned at him, but the Seer only laughed.

        I looked from Aiven to the other Seer in confusion, but Aiven just shook his head a little, so I swallowed my questions. For now.

        The other Seer was laughing his head off at the moment, whether at me or at Aiven I wasn't quite sure. He looked like he would be awed if he could just stop laughing for a moment.

        "Damslae," Mariva said from behind me, and giving Aiven and his friend a parting glare, I moved Dewdrop next to her mare. "Look at them," she told me, nodding towards a group of men and woman who had ridden up to meet us. Aiven immediately greeted them, and after a few words they surrounded us. My brows shot up. Exactly why did we need an armed guard when entering a friendly city?

        Mariva giggled when I mentioned this. "They're an honor guard, silly," she said, hitting my shoulder. Oh. That DID make more sense.

        I looked curiously around me as we rode through the different distracts of the city. As we neared the royal palace, our horses were taken away and we were separated into different groups. But when Mariva and I learned we were being split up, we stubbornly refused.

        "But my ladies," the servant speaking to us said a little nervously faced with our defiant looks, "royalty always gathers in the southern wing, and the Lord Seer Aiven was most insistent that you," he nodded to me, "be placed in the Cavor'shin Tower."

        "I'm only cousin to royalty, not actually royalty," Mariva protested, while at the same time I said, "Well, I'm sort of royalty as well. I mean, I am. A princess." The servant didn't understand a word either of us said, and just looked worriedly from one of us to the other.

        Mariva sighed. "Well, we might as well just do what they want for now. We'll fix the arrangements tonight - I just have to complain to Tullon -"

    &nnbsp;   "And I'll complain to Aiven," I finished, and we allowed to separate servants to show away.

***

        Two towers rose in front of me, the ones I had seen from the hill, made of glistening white marble streaked with black. I stopped a moment to stare at them, the maid showing me to my temporary quarters continuing onwards. The peaked tips were capped in gold. The towers reached higher then any other part of the Bastian castle. Five bridges spanned the distance between the towers, made part of marble and part of thick, finely made glass. I could see people walking above them, far above my head.

        "M'lady?" The maid had finally turned back to me and noticed my awe- struck gaze. Apparently used to the looks, she sighed and rattled off in a much repeated tone, "These are the Cavor'shin Towers, built half a millennia ago by King Cavor'shin the first. They are made of marble cut across the seas, and mages have cast spells of protection and defense on them - they are often called the Indestructible Towers. They are now used as guest quarters for important guests to the realm." With that, she began to walk towards the towers again, and I followed.

        At the door the maid handed me over, like so much baggage, to another servant. With a bow, the man led me up a narrow, circular staircase in the center of the tower. We finally stopped at a doorway, my legs aching as I panted for breath. "I don't suppose," I gasped, wondering why they made honored guest climb the wretched thing, "that there's an easier way up."

        "The Mage-Way, of course," the man responded, also out of breath. He looked like he wanted to collapse. "Most take it."

        "Is there a reason we didn't?" I complained.

        He gave me a startled look, probably not used to guests actually speaking - or surprised at my ignorance. "You must a Mage token, for permission."

        I made a mental note to yell at Aiven about this when I saw him.

        The servant let me into my room, then gave me the key. The room was tastefully and richly decorated in a soft purple hue, with a little table fountain on a - surprise - table. Its quiet burbling made a soothing noise. There was an elegant bed, large table, dresser, closet and two armchairs before a fireplace. A bookshelf stood against one wall, holding several different books, and on another wall was a view of the city. Looking down on it in the middle of the day, it was a huge, bustling place, but none of the noises or smells reached me in my room. Off through a side door there was a bathing chamber, complete with several different fragrances and thick white towel emblazed with the Emperor's crest.

        It was the definition of "pleasant" and that unnerved me somewhat.

        Aside from the fact that it was entirely too perfect, there was the fact that it didn't seem like Aiven would be here either. Where was he going to be? "I'll see you tonight," he'd said. It was early afternoon. Did he actually expect me to sit in my room all day?

        I'd find Aiven, I decided, and he would tell me where Mariva was. Even if I had no idea how to find Aiven, it was better then sitting here doing nothing.

        I left the room, hanging the key on a thread I pulled from the rug and hanging it around my neck, under my gown. Closing the door, I ventured up the stairs. I wasn't more then half way up yet, and though I didn't know what I was looking for I figured I'd find something.

        I did. One door I passed was more elaborate then the others, with curling carvings on the frame. "Communal room" it said, and I pushed the door open.

        "Excuse me," I said as I entered, almost knocking the door into what looked like a foreign noble. I moved away from the door and took the view in. The room was huge, taking up that entire level of the tower, excepting the core that was the staircase. The room was beautiful, with a creamy tiled stone floor and clusters of couches, tables, and bookshelves scattered about. Large windows afforded a magnificent view of the Emperor's castle, and the rest of the royal city. I stared at it a moment before gazing around the room for someone I knew, preferably Aiven.

        The room felt like a ballroom, despite all the furniture. The airy style of everything, the richly dressed people talking, it all gave it an elegant feel. I slowly began to walk around the room, avoiding guests and the servants that circulated with platters of food and drinks. I must have walked around the room three times when one of the servants approached me.

        He bowed slightly. "My lady," he said formally, "may I help you find something?"

        Let me guess, I thought sarcastically, irritated that I hadn't found anyone, I'm ruining the atmosphere with my pacing. "I was looking for one of the Seers," I told him.

        He kept his face masked, giving me another bow. "The Seers' keep their rooms in the second tower," he said politely, but firmly. I got the feeling he thought I was looking for a Seer to gain myself prestige and power if he became attached to me.

        "Would you tell me how to get over there?" I asked, now slightly amused. To no surprise, he did the little bow again before he answered.

        "My lady, the Seers wish not to be interrupted while they stay in their accommodations. If you wish to meet them, I can certainly give you a schedule of events of public ceremonies they will be present at . . ."

        "Can you give one a message for me?"

        He still bowed, but for a moment his eyes showed disapproval. "I am afraid they do not wish to be disturbed, my lady."

        "Look, I came to Bast with a Seer, along with a prince and his cousin. And I really need to talk to the Seer right now. I won't be disturbing him, trust me. We've known each other for a while. Please, can I speak with him?"

        "I am sorry, my lady, but without a Mage or Seer token no one is to be allowed entry to the second tower." He didn't bow.

        I REALLY needed to get one of the tokens.

        I left the communal room and went down the staircase, feeling annoyed. Down a few curves, a few more steps - I was at one of the doors I had noticed when I went up the stairs, a door to one of the bridges.

        It was locked, to no surprise, and I had none of my old lockpicks with me. It probably would be locked with magic as well as mechanics, knowing my luck. Pointlessly, I tried to turn the doorknob, wondering if there was another way to the second tower.

        Windows.

        I looked over the idea in my head. There were windows on the tower, I knew that; if one was located looking down on the bridge I could climb out of it, crawl across the curved top of the walkway, and through a window on the other side. The height didn't bother me, nor did the danger; I had seen enough in Cyri to be used to them.

        Still, it was very high. Did I *really* want to get to Aiven that badly?

        Why not, I though a second later. It wasn't like I had anything else to do.

***

        Several minutes later I was staring down at the walkway. The door to these rooms had been left unlocked, so it was easy to just walk in. The window was fairly large, with the walkway about four feet below it. I swallowed hard. The walkway itself was made of marble, but its side and top were curved glass, and probably not made to be walked on. The distance between the two towers seemed abnormally long, and the ground was very, very far away, with ant-like humans walking around, oblivious.

        I am such a stubborn idiot, I thought, swinging my legs over the windowsill. I centered my weight on the glass, and slowly slid my hands down the side of the building as I moved to a crouching position. On all fours, I turned myself around and slowly began to inch across the glass roof. The slippery, domed, extremely high up glass roof. The sweat on my hands made them slip on the glass. I looked down, mesmerized at the sight of the small houses and people below me. It wasn't so bad when I wasn't moving; it was the moving I had a problem with.

        I gasped when I saw a person leave the second tower and head across on the bridge. Don't look up, I prayed. Don't look up, don't look up. One glance through the clear roof and I was doomed. I watched the man as he made his way across the bridge, stopping to admire the view. Thankfully, he did not look upwards. As soon as he was gone, I dragged myself forwards again, crawling to the other side. I slowly stood up, grabbed onto a window above me. My hands were shaking as I fumbled with the lock. Steadying my hands through sheer willpower, I managed to open it, and hauled myself into the room. I collapsed in a heap, breathing hard.

        "Well," I said aloud, "that wasn't too bad." I managed a shaky smile, checked my dress in a conveniently placed mirror, and strolled out of the room like I had every right to be there.

        I walked down the circular staircase, with no idea where I was walking. After awhile, I reached an elaborate door reading "Audience chamber." The door was open, and I slipped quietly into the chamber, my slippered feet making no noise as I crept along the walls. I quickly ducked below a conveniently out of the way table with it's cloth reaching the ground. Then I closed my eyes and recalled what I had just seen.

        I was in a circular room; the Bastian architects seemed to enjoy circles. However, this room was domed, the ceiling painted with pictures depicting the founding of the Bastian Empire and it's first ruler. Quietly, I lay down under the table and opened my eyes, pushing my head out from under the table, right next to a wall. I stared up at the small section of ceiling that I could see. The painting was extremely detailed, each depicted jewel shining with painted sunlight. The entire ceiling shone slightly, as if it was pained glass the sun shone through, instead of a painted ceiling with many more layers above it.

        I withdrew under the table again, and focused on calling to mind the rest of the room. I drew my knees to my chest and rested my head on them. In the center of the room there was a round table on a slightly raised dais. About twenty seats sat around it, filled with man all dressed in silver robes identical to Aiven's. Around the table, more chairs were gathered, men sitting in all places. I estimated there were about seventy men in the room. I had no doubt that they were all Seers, though I wondered briefly why no royalty was present. Then I concentrated on their words.

        "The rest of us will be arriving within a week," a light baritone voice said. The owner of the voice sounded about Aiven's age. "Emperor Sair will be giving us the second largest audience chamber when the rest are here. In a tenday we will all gather for our first meeting. We will be joined by our royalty the day after. Please inform your royals of all important decisions. The Seer's Council will meet in five days." He paused a moment. "The reason we are together now is because Aiven of Sontái has something to discuss."

        There was a scrape of chair and a rustling of fabric; someone - Aiven - was standing up, and the others were prrobably turning to look at him. "Well, Sontái? What's so important you have to immediately inform everyone, not wait another second?" someone asked sarcastically.

        "More important than anything you've discovered," Aiven returned. I choked back laughter at their childish exchange.

        "Really. Go ahead."

        I could practically see Aiven glaring at the other Seer.

        "I've found the daughter of the Eternal Lah'nayin," Aiven said meaningfully. To say the room went silent was an under exaggeration. Forget a pin; you could have heard a feather dropped.

        Finally the leader spoke. "Thank the Lady," he said, voice trembling a little. When he continued, I could hear a smile in his voice. "Who would have thought *you* would find her, Aiven?" I heard several soft laughs, and snickers. I raised my eyebrows, wondering what the was about,

        "So maybe I was an unlikely one to find her. But I did."

        The room was silent again, until a new voice murmured, "A street rat from Cyri almost forced to become the bride of Yvonhe's prince. Daughter of a goddess, beautiful as Annoia. The single person who can save us or destroy us, if she does not try to leave us first. In your care." I heard several strangled laughs. "Found, by you, the one Seer who would rather be on the battlefield, who resisted his destiny, who denounced the daughter of the Eternal Lah'nayin, who said we did not need her - you're now her protector."

        He denounced me? I thought, surprised. I heard the voices increase as everyone tried to make themselves heard. Suddenly they all stopped, and everyone was silent for a minute before Aiven spoke, voice steely. "What I said of her before does not matter. Besides," and his voice turned darkly amused, "don't you want to know her name?"

        "We'll bite, Aiven," drawled the Seer from before. "What is she called?"

        "Her name," Aiven said grimly, "is Laeliena."

        The shocked silence lasted a quarter of a second before a babbling of confused and excited voices broke out, rising to an ear-throbbing crescendo before the Seer in charge thundered, "Enough!" The room was instantly ruled by silence, and the hosting Seer growled in a low voice, "Explain."

        "The vision never gave me her name," Aiven said seriously, "so when she gave me a false name, I had no reason to disbelieve her. We met with an old acquaintance of hers who called her Laeliena. That night, I summoned a Seeing." A low murmur circulated the room. "She is indeed Laeliena, along with the Eternal Lah'nayin's daughter."

        The room was collectively awed. I shifted uncomfortably under my table, wondering exactly what all these high-ranking Seers expected of me, and wondering if I was capable of doing all of it. What exactly was I?

        "How is that possible?" someone asked in desperation. "You must be mistaken! She cannot -"

        "Fjorln." This was the hosting Seer. "Aiven has never - never - incorrectly scryed. His blood makes that impossible, as you well know."

        I stifled a groan. This was confusing me even more. What did Aiven's blood have anything to do with anything? Weren't his family farmers?

        "This does complicate things," the Seer continued. "We did not expect the princess for another four hundred years. It seems the girl will have more distractions then we expected, being the princess."

        "She has her own war to fight," another Seer said. "Princess Laeliena will be - has been - born to re-create her country of magical beings."

        "Then we can use that to convince her to stay on our side," the Seer in charge said firmly. "If we promise to help her take her country back when our war is over, she will hopefully stay with us."

        "I'm not sure that will assure her help," Aiven broke in. "She has no memory as princess -"

        "What?!" a few voice cried out. I frowned. Was I supposed to remember another lifetime?

        "Meeting disjoined," the head Seer said. "We are allowing ourselves to become to riled to speak properly. You will be informed at the Assembly in s tenday when this information is better understood. Good day."

        There was a murmuring of farewells and a scraping of chairs and feet as everyone began to exit the room. All the Seers were talking in excited, high voices, and everything I heard concerned my name - or one of them. Finally the hall seemed empty.

        "By the First Seer, Aiven!" exclaimed the head Seer, sounding much younger and excited now that he and Aiven were alone. "You found her! YOU! Hah!" There was a noise that sounded suspiciously like a punch on the arm. "Hello, warrior, you've found the most important girl in the world - excusing my love, of course - and you didn't want to!" I grinned. The head Seer seemed to have no restraints about making fun of Aiven when he had no one he was supposed to be a leader to around.

        "Thanks, friend," Aiven said sourly. "I didn't go looking for her, you know, like the rest of you were doing. It just -sort of - happened."

        "And what else 'just -sort of - happened'?" the Seer said in a teasing voice, and I heard another thump as something was hit.

        "Nothing," Aiven said, laughing. "*I* know she's off-limits."

        "Oh, give in. She's supposed to be the most beautiful girl in the world."

        "Well, she's certainly the most temperamental." I rolled my eyes. Would it kill Aiven to admit I was pretty?

        Though I'd admit saying I was the most beautiful girl in the world might be a little much.

        "She can't be that bad," Aiven's friend protested with a laugh.

        "You haven't met her," Aiven said darkly, and I felt a twinge somewhere around my heart that I chose to ignore. Since when did I care what Aiven thought about me? I thought defiantly, then immediately thought, don't answer that.

        "Yes, she's beautiful," Aiven continued, "and she's spirited and independent as well. Far more then any of us were expecting. As for disposition, I'd say it's more along the fiery lines we expected for the Princess Laeliena then the docile girl we were hoping to be Her daughter. And she has a temper, Corln," he warned. "Not to mention she has no qualms about stealing things. She was a thief, for the Lady's sake - it's in her nature to betray and backstab!"

        I couldn't take it any longer. I rolled out from under my table and quickly unfolded to my feet. "I didn't know you thought so little of me, *warrior*," I spat, shaking with anger. I had no idea what the "warrior thing meant, but several people had alluded to it before.

        Both of the Seers spun around to stare at me, faces draining of color. "*First Seer*," Seer Corln swore shakily. Aiven didn't say anything. I raised my brows, waiting for something, anything - though preferably an "I'm sorry." He didn't say anything.

        "Wanted me to be docile, did you?" I asked angrily. "Well I'm not. Wanted to force me to help you? What happened to just ASKING? Think I betray and backstab, Aiven?" I asked softly, whole body quivering. My hands were clenching and unclenching at my sides as I stared at Aiven in anger. "Think once a thief, always a thief? If that's the way you view me, fine," I said, voice shaky but slowly rising in volume, "but you can fine someone ELSE to fight your *damn war*!" With that, I spun and marched from the room, barely hearing Corln moan and say, "this is exactly what we wanted to *prevent* from happening!"

Chapter Eighteen :: Apologies

I was angry - and quickly approaching stark-raving mad- when I stormed out on Aiven and the other Seer. Thieving, was I? When was the last time I had done that, excusing a few worthless trinkets? It was a habit I had had my whole life; I couldn't drop it at the snap of someone's fingers. But BACKSTABBING? That was the real reason I was seething. I was NEVER backstabbing. All Aiven had to back that up was because I was a thief.

        But even a thief has honor.

        "Backstabbing," I muttered to myself, practically running down the stairs and past startled servants, then flinging myself out the door into sunlight. "Who does he think he is?" Scowling darkly, I marched across the courtyard, ignoring everyone else in it. Where was Mariva? There was no one else I wanted to see right now; I just wanted to talk to my friend.

        For whatever reason I didn't see the man until he was right in front of me. By than it was too late to slow down, and I barreled right into him. We both fell over, swearing in surprise. His curses were like a lord's; mine like a street rat. "Sorry," I muttered, pulling away from him. He climbed to his feet first and helped me up.

        "I didn't know ladies could speak like that," he said in a much pleasanter tone then I would have used had someone knocked me over.

        "Ladies can't" I said flatly, in no mood to flirt, no matter how good- looking the man before me was. I gave him a polite smile and started to walk away.

        "Wait," he commanded, catching my hand and placing it in the crook of his arm. "I don't even know your name. What if I never see you again?"

        Then you'll find another beauty to seduce, I thought dryly, trying to place his familiar voice. I looked him up and down, then could have smacked myself as I saw his now dusty clothes. What if he never saw me again? I thought mockingly. "Oh, I dare say you will," I told the Seer lightly. "In fact, you'll probably be seeing -or speaking - a lot about me for the next few weeks."

        "Confident of yourself," Aiven's rival teased. I wondered what he and Aiven had against each other, and wondered again what the "warrior" remark meant. Looking into the smiling bluish-gray eyes of this slightly disheveled Seer, I decided to find out.

        "I'm no more sure of myself than you are of yourself, my lord," I said blithely. He gave me a strange look - Seers were addressed as "Lord Seer" or "Excellency" by almost everyone. I pretended not to notice my incorrect form of address, and strolled with him out of the courtyard into another garden.

        "I'm supposed to be confident," he said. "After all, I'm a Seer." He looked at me as if I had - somehow - not noticed what he was.

        "I know," I said simply, giving him a dazzling smile.

        He raised a brow. "You do not sound impressed." He sounded amused.

        "Well, I've met a few of your exalted kindred before," i told him, unable to keep some sarcasm from my voice. "Royalty too."

        "What royalty?" he asked casually.

        "Oh, you know," I began, giving a dismissing wave, "they all blend together after a while," I said mockingly.

        "You've wit," he said, pulling me down beside him on a bench. "I like that in a lady."

        "Ah, that explains why you took me for a stroll," I quipped, "and here I thought it was my beauty."

        He laughed. "What Seers have you met?" He could not quite mask his interest.

        I was reluctant to speak of Aiven immediately. "My best friend is betrothed to the Seer of the Bastian Empire," I said lightly, examining my nails.

        The youth was impressed. "He speaks highly of her. Lady Mariva of Sontái," he mused, then met my golden eyes. "Then you must be from Sontái as well. I suppose you know the Seer?"

        "Doesn't everyone?" I said, my eyes still on his. "Are you friends?"

        He smirked slightly. "Are you friends?" he echoed.

        I pulled a grimace. "I'd hardly say that," I told him.

        "Oh, did he win your heart and break it?" he asked.

        I looked at him sharply. He implied that Aiven broke many hearts. I couldn't imagine him as a womanizer; he was too preoccupied with his prophecies. If he broke many hearts (likely) I doubted it was on purpose, or that he noticed, really. Aiven just wasn't like that.

        "No," I told the Seer. "I barely know him." I looked at the flowers in front of me for a moment, then gave in to curiosity. "I heard him referred to as a 'warrior.' But he's a Seer." I looked at the young man questioningly. In my experience, people loved to gossip about people they didn't like.

        Apparently this man was no different. "Seer Aiven was training to be a knight," the youth said. "He'd risen through the ranks, and didn't he love it. Fame, glory, battles, women," he said disgustedly. "He was one of those thrillseekers - far too young to be on the front line, but doing t anyway. He gained everything he wanted; he seemed invincible. He thought that fighters were far superior to magic-users; Mages, Seers, Healers. HE was the only Seer who was *dismayed* to find out who he was."

        I considered this carefully. I was sure there was more to this story then this Seer was telling me. How long had Aiven actually been a Seer? I supposed I'd always rather thought he was a Seer. And I was having a lot of trouble seeing Aiven as a bloodthirsty, fame-seeking warrior. Though he HAD said he wanted to be in the front lines, rather then protecting me. I frowned, and walked over to the flower bush. The Seer followed me with his gave. Meeting it, I asked, "Did he -"

        "There you are!" Mariva interrupted, dashing up to me. "By the Lady, Damslae, I've been looking all over the place for you." She smiled impishly.

        "Oh, wonderful," I said with a smile. "And why would you do that?"

        The Seer looked surprised at Mariva's interruption, but Mariva had her back to him, and had not noticed him. She spoke again before he could say a word. "Corln came looking for me several minutes ago," she said, a little more seriously. "He said you were upset, that Aiven was upset, and you had announced you were leaving." She frowned, concerned. "What's wrong?"

        "I'll tell you later," I told her, then took her arm and turned her around. When she saw my companion her eyes winced for a moment, before she masked her face in lady-like demeanor. She smiled slightly, raising her head regally.

        "Lady Mariva," the Seer said, also appearing slightly surprised. He took her hand, standing and bowing over it.

        "Lord Seer Tyron," Mariva said, regaining her hand and curtsying. "'Tis a pleasure to see you again." She glanced from him to me, her eyes worried.

        "The pleasure is all mine," he said politely. Mariva smiled blandly, then turned back to me.

        "What happened?" she asked, concerned. "Corln was worried too, and he never worried. He told me to find you and to entreat you to stay." Her mouth quirked slightly, and we exchanged amused glances. "He said Aiven was less than tactful."

        "He was downright insulting," I moaned. "You have no idea you tempting it was to punch him."

        "And you resisted?" Mariva asked in mock-shock.

        "Barely," I said seriously. "I just want to leave."

        "No you don't," Mariva contradicted, and I laughed. Truthfully, I didn't know where I'd go if I left.

        "Why do Corln and Aiven care where you go?" the Seer Tyron asked, looking towards me with a frown. "I thought you didn't know Aiven that well."

        "I said I didn't get along with him," I corrected, not quite sure what I had said, or caring.

        "Oh, think a moment, Tyron," Mariva said, her lady-mask slipping. "Who do you think she is? She's beautiful - she's smart - she knows Aiven - make a guess."

        Comprehension started to dawn on Tyron's face, and Mariva smiled at him brightly. "Allow me to introduce her - The Princess Laeliena, daughter of the Eternal Lah'nayin."

        Laughing softly, she took my arm and pulled me along with her as we left the garden. Try as I might, I couldn't quite keep the smile off my face as we left one stunned Seer behind.

*************************************************

        We sat in contemplative silence in Mariva's room, after we had spoken of everything that had happened since we parted this morning. Mariva and Tullon had been given rooms in the foreign royalty wing, and Mariva had stayed there all day until Corln came.

        Corln . . . I hadn't forgotten he, the Bastian Seer, was Mariva's betrothed, but when I was listening to him talk to Aiven and the other Seers earlier, it hadn't clicked Now I tried to bring his face to my mind, the man Mariva would marry - and whom she loved.

        He was Aiven's height and Aiven's age, but I had been too angry with Aiven to notice much else. I had a vague recollection of dark hair and almond shaped blue eyes, set in a pale, aristocratic face.

        "I wonder if Aiven'll apologize," Mariva mused from where she lay sprawled on one couch. I lay on one opposite hers, idly braiding half my hair.

        "Aiven? Apologize?" I scoffed. "He'll probably expect *me* to apologize for eavesdropping."

        "But he ought to apologize, *Princess*. After all, he needs your help." We giggled. "Oh, and I meant to ask you," Mariva continued, "Do you mind what I call you? Will it bother you if I continue to call you Damslae?" She met my eyes, and though her voice was casual, her gaze was serious. "It's just - Princess Laeliena has always been a legend to me, a tale I've known forever - except for her name, as most people don't know that - and, well, I just have a hard time matching her to you." She frowned. "That sounded incredibly stupid, considering you ARE her." She sighed. "The point is, can I just call you Damslae?"

        I nodded. "But being a legend - royalty - I'm not really, am I?" I asked, confused. "From what I've heard - not that anyone will actually *explain* anything - the country that I'm, um, princess of is a little . . . non-existent?" It had sounded like I would have to gather all the citizens myself and fight a war to gain my kingdom. I didn't even know what the war would really be about, or who it would be against. And thinking of myself as a princess - a REAL princess, with a kingdom, and duties, as opposed to an empty title - was a little beyond me right now.

        "I don't know," Mariva said slowly. "Tullon said something about you making a debut as the Princess . . . Because you ARE royalty," she said earnestly, "as royal as Tullon, or my uncle, or Mage-King Sair. You hold the same rank as any other princess; higher, considering your kingdom and heritage. And you'll be presented as a true princess. As for your country, Lahtorli," and now Mariva's voice took on a more confident, knowledgeable tone, "it was invaded thousands of years ago, by a blackened Seer and his army. The people of it were driven out, though some may have taken refuge in hidden caves and places of the country. Others fled to different lands, though they- and their descendants - retained a mind-link with Lahtorli. All the citizens were elves, fairies, and other magical beings. Very few humans lived there before it was conquered - not absorbed into other countries. It is still it's own country, but subdued completely."

        "And you know this all from your mind link with Corln?" Mariva nodded. I sighed. "I wish I knew all of this already. I though the fairies and everyone had their own kingdom, which the Lady protected from Before her father's destruction. I thought it was one of the three places she saved."

        Mariva stared at me for a moment as if she wasn't quite sure what to make of my words. Then she started to giggle. "Lahtorli IS that kingdom, silly. Where all the fairies live. It was just taken over after that."

        I stared right back at her, mouth dropping open. "Wait - that's *my* kingdom? Mine? With fairies and elves and . . . magic? But I'm just . . . oh, Lady."

        Mariva nodded. "For the last several millennia, the citizens have been scattered throughout all the continents, mixing with ordinary humans. Corln says they don't like to make a fuss over it with the non-magics, and don't let it be widely known about losing their country. Everyone knows about the legendary Lahtorli being lost; most just don't connect it with the magic-beings home."

        I looked down at my hands, not really seeing them; instead I was seeing the stained glass windows in Yvonhe's capital Cyri, the windows in the church that showed the Lady saving the three places. Silently, I mouthed the ritual words that told of where she had saved; the mountaintop of Mt. Havoni, the ancient city of Canaion, in Bast, and helping the fairies, the fairies ancient homeland.

        Lahtorli - MY Lahtorli - was "the fairies ancient homeland."

        "If I'm the princess of fairies and elves . . ." I said slowly, "If I'm the daughter of the Eternal Lah'nayin . . . am I human?" I met Mariva's serious dark brown eyes, which shone softly.

        "I have no idea."

**********************************

        I didn't see Aiven until dinner; then again, I didn't look for him. He sent a note to Mariva's room saying the six of us - though, typically Aiven, he didn't specify whom that included - would be eating privately.

        I didn't change my dress for dinner, which Mariva told me would be a subtle insult. (Then we laughed. Subtle? When was I ever subtle?" I didn't really feel like putting on another dress anyways, even though I had in Sontái. Besides, if I was able to avoid taking the time to change, AND insult Aiven at the same time, all the better.

        I couldn't help wondering who took care of these masses of clothing that the court ladies wore all the time. We left the out at night and they were returned to our closets in the morning. Taking care of these hundred of dresses seemed like a very boring job.

        And that was my profound though for the day, I thought as Mariva and I proceeded downstairs in are slightly dusty traveling clothes, as she hadn't changed either. The servant leading us through the unfamiliar castle brought us to a chamber with a round mahogany table and chairs. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling painted in a rich red tone that matched the carpet. There were four exits, I noted. Five if I counted the windows.

        Four young men stood as we entered. If Aiven was irritated at our dress - if he even noticed - he gave no sign. Unlike this afternoon, he was not wearing formal Seer robes, but instead a brown velvet (chrushed velvet) britches and a gold tunic. Tullon stood beside him, also dressed informally, though he did wear his circlet.

        There was no way anyone was going to make me wear a circlet.

        Corln, the third person at the round table, only had eyes for Mariva, and I smiled slightly when I saw her devoted gaze locked with his. The fourth person I did not recognize; he was older than the previous three, about twenty-five.

        "May I present," Corln said to the stranger, "my betrothed, the Lady Mariva of Orlask, niece of the King of Sontái." The stranger took her hand and politely bowed over it.

        Then Aiven stepped forward. His face was as blank as mine, and I had no way of knowing if he was apologetic. I doubted it. His eyes and voice suggested otherwise. "Allow me to present Princess Laeliena of Lahtorli, daughter of the Eternal Lah'nayin." No one at the table so much as blinked. "I don't believe you've - formally - met Lord Seer Corln?" The Bastian Seer took my hand, casting a glance at Mariva, as if looking for reassurance that I would not blow up at him. He brushed the air above my hand with his lips. "And this is Lord Seer Lauten," Aiven said, who also bowed over my hand. We carefully took our seats, silent as the maids who served our first course, then arranged the rest of the food buffet style on a long, narrow table. They then left the room, closing the doors behind them. I cast a desperate glance towards them as if they were my last hope of escape. Five ways to leave, I reminded myself. They were all seeming like good choices in the uncomfortable silence right now; even the window.

        "I would like to speak openly." Aiven's voice cut through the tension, but didn't dissipate any of it. I was not using his "open" voice. He wasn't even using his friendly or pleasant voice. He was sounding more Seer-ish, less Aiven-ish.

        And openly? I wondered nervously. What exactly did "openly" entitle? He could be actually be referring to speaking openly, but then again, he could mean *Court* openly, which was an entirely different thing. All the men looked so serious, I thought even more nervously. I wasn't sure if I had EVER seen Tullon look serious.

        "Your Highness," Seer Corln said, and with a jolt I realized he was addressing me, not the Sontáin mage-prince. "On behalf of all the Seers, I would like to entreat you to stay and learn about our goals and the things we hope you to assist us with, before you make a decision to leave."

        So they had taken me seriously when I threatened to leave, I thought dryly. And where exactly did they expect me to go if I didn't stay with them?

        All the three youths were now giving Aiven pointed looks; it was obviously his turn to speak in this little tableau. He took a deep breath, and looked straight at me. "I would like to apologize for the words I spoke ill of you earlier," he said formally. "I was unjust in my speech and apologize sincerely for any of the hurt my cruel words may have inflicted." The table held its collective breath, waiting to see if I would accept Aiven's apology. I watched Aiven, who was sitting stiffly in his hair, now unable to meet my eye.

        "If I may speak openly?" I asked, my tone slightly mocking though I had not intended it to be so. I watched my finger make circular movements around the rim of my wineglass, but was aware when the young men nodded.

        "I think the Lord Seer Aiven and I should talk openly - somewhere else," I said sweetly. With that, I stood up and strode out of the room, my slippers making no sound on the carpeted floor. I caught sight of Mariva's amused, approving expression, Tullon's raised eyebrow, and the alarm on three of the Seer's faces. I didn't look at Aiven.

        I pushed the door I had entered from open, glad to make use of one of the exits (especially one that wasn't the window) and walked out without looking to see if Aiven followed.

        He did - a second later, the doors opened again and he strode out. His blank face façade was replaced with the more familiar and comforting angry, irritating look.

        "Was I not sincere enough?" he snapped, amber eyes blazing. They were looking a little less brown a little more honey-gold and closer to my eye color then normal. It was unsettling. "Not heartfelt enough? Perhaps you'd like me to get down on one knee and beg for your forgiveness."

        "There's no need to be petty," I replied, stung. "Maybe you could have explained *why* you said those things. Though I must say, your prettily delivered speech didn't strike me as sincere. Tough how we were expected to speak openly with so many people around . . ." I shook my head. "Why did you say that about me?" I asked quietly, unable to help myself, turning away. "It . . . it did hurt, Aiven, alright? It hurt," I blurted out.

        Backstabber.

        I turned around soon enough to see Aiven shove both hands through his hair, then lock them behind his back. "I *am* sorry," he told me. "What I said was . . . unacceptable. I have no excuse."

        I stared at him, incredulous, my hurt fading away for a moment as he stared at the ground. "Are you apologizing? Actually taking the blame?" I demanded of him.

        He scowled. "Is that so impossible to believe? I've apologized before."

        "Um . . . No."

        He sighed. "Why were you there in the first place?"

        "I wanted to talk to you." I said defensively. "I wanted to know where Mariva was."

        "And you had to *hide under a table* to see me?"

        "You were talking about me! I have the right to know what people are saying about me."

        "Do you?"

        "You know, that would be cryptic if it wasn't so overused."

        Aiven sighed - probably exasperated with me, as usual, then to my complete surprise walked straight towards me. I stepped backwards, banging against the wall. Aiven took another step forwards, leaving a foot between us and taking my hands in his. "I am truly, truly sorry," he told me. I looked away from his piercing amber eyes, but he gently raised my chin with one hand. "I don't apologize often," he told me. "I don't usually apologize even when I'm wrong. But I honestly did not mean what I said. There were no grounds to call you any of those things. I let my frustration and anger with other things concerning you - which are NOT your fault - color my words. I should not have called you a betrayer. And I have never - never - thought of you as backstabbing."

        I sniffed weakly, feeling like an absolute idiot. "I'm *not* backstabbing," I muttered. I bit my lip. Aiven annoyed with me I could understand. Aiven angry, sarcastic, arrogant or reasonable I could deal with. But Aiven *sorry?*

        I didn't want to cry. It's not that I despise girls who cry - I don't - but that if I cried over every sad thinng in my life I'd barely have time to be happy. Not to mention that this wasn't particularly tragic. But all the feelings that I had locked inside, all the hurt, angry feelings, were coming undone as Aiven stood in front of me, wide eyes open and completely sorry. I sniffed again, blinking rapidly. And if Aiven hadn't whispered, "I wish I could make you feel better," and if he hadn't brushed a strand of hair out of my face, I probably wouldn't of.

        As it was, a few tears leaked out from the corners of my eyes before I was able to control myself again. Gently, with a touch like fairy wings, Aiven wiped away the tears. For a moment then, neither of us moved, his fingers resting against my cheek. Then we both leaned forwards, lips touching softly sweetly. His hand caressed my face as I wove my fingers through his hair. Our kiss deepened as we leaned into each other, letting go of all the ill emotion that had followed us all day. I didn't ever want to leave the circle of his arms.

        A loud noise sounded outside, and we drew back startled. We locked are hands behind our backs like mirror images. Aiven opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. For an instant, he looked vulnerable, for lack of a better word. His mouth pulled up in an uncertain half-smile. My throat didn't seem to be working; all I could concentrate on were the hundreds of butterflies and Aiven's handsome, familiar face. I licked my lips nervously, and his eyes darted down to them for a second before he jerked them upwards. He throat didn't seem to be working well either. I glanced towards the door, wondering if it would be cowardly to flee. I took a small step towards it.

        Aiven studied my face, a hesitant, almost frightened look on his. Then he turned and strode quickly across the room to a different door. He glanced back over his shoulder a moment before he left and whispered, "I'm sorry."

        I stood, frozen, staring at the swinging doorway. Sorry? For what? For calling me cruel, hurtful names?

        Or for kissing me?

        I pressed my hand softly to my mouth, savoring the feeling of Aiven's lips against mine. Then I, too, fled the room.

Chapter Nineteen :: Ballroom Lessons and Magic Talk

"Aiven kissed me."

I could hear Mariva sit up when I said that. "Aiven kissed you?" she repeated in a strangled voice from where she lay on her bed. I sat up on my own, one the servants had hastily moved into Mariva’s room, and fumbled for a candle. Mariva lit one first.

"When?" she asked, glancing at the moon. We had just blown our candles out ten minutes ago; before that she had walked out of dinner after me and we had arranged for an extra robbed in her room. If Aiven or Tullon had a problem with that, they could deal by themselves.

"Three, four hours ago," I confided in the glow of out two candles. I pulled my blankets closer to me. "He kissed me a week ago as well."

"Now she tells me," Mariva said, but she couldn’t suppress a grin. "Go on. Tell me everything."

I did; she was still smiling as I finished. "Well," she said meaningfully.

"Oh, be quiet," I said. "Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it."

She laughed, then grew a little more serious. "He’s presenting you tomorrow," she told me. I looked at her curiously, not certain what she meant. "Corln told us before I went out after you and Aiven. You’re to be presented to the Emperor and his advisors tomorrow. Corln will be there of course, and so will Seer Lauten, who was at dinner; he’s one of the head’s of the Seer’s Council." She made a face. "I wish I knew more about the Seer’s Council. They’re incredibly secretive about their structure; I do know it’s made up of fifty of the Seers.

"Aiven is also going to present and escort you at the ball at the end of the week -"

"What?!"

"Wait a moment. This is what Corln wanted to explain at dinner; but you had to run out," she teased. "At the end of the week, all the Seers, royals, and their encourages will have arrived. The Made-King Sair is throwing a ball to welcome everyone. Everyone is going to act as if nothing is going on," Mariva told me seriously, only a hint of a smile to show how ridiculous she thought this was. "War will not be spoken of openly until the first battle begins."

"Another stupid court dance," I sighed.

Mariva nodded. "Corln will be escorting me, and Aiven you. Corln said you and Aiven should talk."

"Did Corln now?" I teased. "What else did Corln say?"

Mariva mock glared at me, and said airily, "Nothing of interest."

"Did he do anything of interest?" A pillow flew my way, and I ducked giggling. "Come on. Tell me something romantic he’s done."

"Unfortunately he’s been a little too worried about his best friend upsetting the daughter of the Eternal Lah’nayin daughter to talk to me about anything other then them."

"If that was true, you’d sound a little more miffed with me," I countered smiling. I knew they had spent a little time together right before she came into our rooms for sleep, undoubtedly when he’d told her about the balls and everything, as there had been no time at dinner.

"Well, maybe," Mariva laughed at me. I listened quietly as she - smiling 0- told me some of the sweeter things he’d done for her.

"You really love him, don’t you?" I asked.

"Yes," she responded with a rather silly smile. "I do." She shot me a look, then carefully studied her nails. "When we first met, we argued a lot - sort of like you and Aiv -"

"He’s told me repetitively he wants nothing to do with me," I interrupted.

"But he kissed you," Mariva reminded me in a singsong voice. I threw her pillow back at her, and soon we were engaged in a childish pillow battle.

*********************************************************************************

Corln came to whisk Mariva off early the neck morning, and though she protested, I insisted she go. I sat in our shared room, pacing back and forth, wishing I knew where Aiven was but unwilling to search for him.

"Have you been abandoned too?"

I spun around to see the grinning mage-prince in my doorway. "May I come in?" he asked, stepping in as I nodded. "I was planning to talk with the Sontái ambassador today, but he had to visit a dying friend, so I was put off," he said easily. I gave him a bright smile.

"Hello highness," I said, bobbing a curtsy that was more the mock of one I had performed in Yvonhe then one intended to show respect.

"Hello highness," he mimicked, but with a bow. He studied me, dropping down on a coach across from where I stood. I sat down as well. "So, Princess," he said, "we’ve been traveling together for he last two weeks, and I hardly know more then a name." He tilted his head, as if waiting for me to spill out my dark, intermost secrets.

I was tempted to reply "you’re not supposed to know me," but I resisted. I had a feeling that the more friends I had, the better. I may have smiled repetitively and been flippant back in Yvonhe, but combined with my unusual looks that usually made people uncomfortable, not friendly - or a little too friendly. Instead I nodded at Tullon, carefully studying him. I didn’t really know anything about him either, aside from what Mariva said. "I know you’re a prince and a mage," I said carefully.

"And?"

Well, he was asking . . . "I know you’re a flirt, and spoiled, and vain, but that’s about all." I finished bluntly, watching careful to see his reaction.

Surprisingly, he did not bluster or insult me. "True enough." He raised his eyebrows, giving me the same inscrutable look I had given him. "I know you’re a princess. I know you’re the daughter of the Eternal Lah’nayin, and beautiful, and clever. I know you were a thief, and that you may have the power to save or ruin the world."

I laughed. So much for diplomacy. "Call me Laeliena," I told him, placing my hand face up. He lay his hand over my wrist, encircling it as I encircled his own in the universal symbol of greeting.

"Call me Tullon," he said with his own brilliant smile. Even if he had not been a mage or a prince, I could see why ladies would be attracted to him.

"I’m not looking for a paramour," I said seriously, though could hardly keep from giggling. Paramour. Nobles came up with the funniest words for some things . . .

He nodded, spreading his hands in a gesture of woe. "Of course not. You have Aiven. How could I possibly compare to the Seer of a realm?"

"I do not ‘have’ Aiven," I said hotly, beginning to regret bringing up the whole paramour thing.

Tullon only grinned and continued as if I had not spoken. "Especially not a young, handsome one," he groaned, "with such old, blue blood."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, exasperated. "I thought he was from a farmer family!"

"Well, of course his father is -" Tullon broke off. "You mean you don’t know?" he asked incredulously.

"Know what?"

A slow grin spread across his face. "If Aiven hasn’t told you, then I’m certainly not going to," he said maddeningly.

"Why not? Everyone seems to know about me, more then I know. Why can’t I know about Aiven?"

Tullon just shook his head. "He’ll tell you eventually."

"Sure he will," I drawled. "Aiven just loves keeping me informed about things. Did you know that when I asked him about court he said, "you’ll find out when you get there’?"

Tullon started. "That’s another thing - you don’t really know much about courts. And you’re a princess!"

Yes, I thought sarcastically, with a scattered people, a conquered land, and no idea whatsoever what being a princess entitled. I certainly didn’t feel like a princess.

Then again, I didn’t quite feel like a thief anymore, either.

"Mariva and Aiven are supposed to teach you, but seeing how they’re otherwise occupied . . ." he stood and bowed with a flourish. "May I have the honor of this dance?" he asked, his eyes gleaming mischievously. Grinning, I accepted his offered hand and he pulled me off the couch. He waved one hand flourishingly and snapped. I didn’t notice anything at first; then several changes occurred. The natural light in the room darkened, though the midmorning sun was shining at the window, and the candle intensity increased. Light curtains dropped over the windows. Strains of music reached us, as if it was floating up from the floor below. The melody was beautiful. I looked at Tullon curiously; he was now dining widely.

"This is the Opening Ballad," he announced with mock stuffiness. "To begin with, you hold your hands like this . . ."

Tullon was, as Mariva had said, spoiled, but he was also polite and interesting, as well as an incurable tease. He seemed shocked by my lack of knowledge of court manners, which made him act superior, but when I challenged him to a knife fight - and easily won - I gained his respect. I liked him; he was refreshingly relaxed and didn’t spin circles around me with prophecies and secrets.

As we practiced table manners using tableware Tullon had conjured out of nowhere (though they did occasionally slip right through my fingers and disappear) I managed to bring the topic back to Aiven.

Well, why not? I’m sure he and all his Seer friends talk about me a lot. Somehow I think their interest is a little less personal, though. I wanted to ask why Aiven and Tyron disliked each other so much, but I wasn’t sure how much a prince would know about a foreign Seer, one of many. Instead I asked another question that had been bothering me. "How long was Aiven a warrior?" I wondered casually, trying to make it seem like I already knew a lot about it.

"Oh, a few years," Tullon replied just as causally. "Wrong fork - use three pronged one. Let’s see - well, there were those years he was training, so that’s four; he was fourteen when he first went into battle. He was only actually there for two years, though it seemed much longer."

Somehow I doubted a sixteen-year-old boy was enjoying "Fame, glory, battles, women," as Tyron had put it.

"Did he enjoy it?" I asked, and my attempt at sounding uncaring failed miserably.

"Oh, he loved it," Tullon answered, sounding as nonchalant as I’d wanted to. "After, he’d been training for it for years. When he started at ten he never thought he’d actually become a knight, since he wasn’t a noble. Just a lowly attendant . . . But then his skill and - other things - changed that." He smiled as I opened my mouth. "No, I’m not going to tell you what ‘other things’ are.

"Aiven was a hero, you know. Did all those heroic deeds, went into battle - he wouldn’t be knighted for at least a year, but he was as famous as all the royal knights. No, don’t use that spoon - it’s only for frozen cream."

He went on to describe some of the other things I was doing wrong, before I had the opportunity to nudge the conversation Aiven wards again. "How did he become a Seer?"

"You’re asking me?" he said with a laugh. "No one knows how Seers are chosen. The story goes that when he was captured, the old Sontáin Seer appeared to him and told him how to escape, and that he was now the Seer." He shrugged. "Who knows. I don’t think that’s what happened - I think Aiven was a Seer long before he publicly admitted it. I’d say, fourteen, fifteen. Of course, no one really knows." He grinned at me. "Now, let’s talk about you, lady. I know you’d prefer to learn everything you can about Sir Dream, but really . . ." He broke off, grinning, when he saw my face go red. "So you grew up on the streets of Cyri?" he asked, waving a hand to dissolve the dining set.

"Yes," I admitted as we moved to the couches. "But trust me, you wouldn’t find it interesting."

He widened his eyes innocently. "How do you know? It might be useful to know how to pickpocket. Lord knows half -" he broke off, flushing slightly, though I could guess what he was going to say.

Smirking, I finished it for him "your lovers do? I bet you find yourself slightly less rich in the morning."

He made a face at me. "That would be another thing about being-street raised. Apart from no etiquette manners, you don’t become properly embarrassed either." We laughed. He swept me up into a last dance, one of the newer, more complicated ones.

"Promise me you’ll allow me to whisk you into this at the ball," he said as he raised me into the air. "Not only does it give us the chance to show off our impressive moves, but," here he winked, "I get the chance to make myself stand out from all the other royals by dancing with the most beautiful of princesses, therefore making me more desirable, and you, my dear, will have a chance to make Aiven jealous."

I glared at him. "I have no intentions of making Aiven jealous," I said, truthfully. "I honestly couldn’t care less about him."

He gave an un-princely snort. "I hope you don’t think that’s true," he said.

"Yes, that’s right," I started sarcastically. "I’m madly in love with Aiven, but neither of will admit to it." I rolled my eyes heavenward. "Lady protect me from bored princes forced to make up love scenarios in their mind."

Tullon laughed, only looking at me knowingly. While I had to admit I spent more time thinking about Aiven then should be needed, any romantic interest was instantly crushed when we spoke. A little less arrogance, a little less sarcasm, would be nice, thank you.

Tullon coaxed me into talking a little more about Cyri as we finished the dance, which he was gratifyingly interested in. I talked more to him about Cyri and my life there then I had to anyone but Mariva, and he seemed fascinated by it. I was afraid he was going to sneak out of the castle the next night and give street-living a try.

Then he led the conversation away from my street life to some of the other things I had done recently; specifically, my magic. I wasn’t convinced I had any, but apparently Tullon was. "So how did you manage to bring the rains down in the courtyard as Sontái?" he said casually.

I had definitely not been expecting that. "Um, well," I said articulately, "I didn’t."

He raised an eyebrow in a teasing way. "I suppose I just imagined being soaked to the bone the minute you became angry?"

"It didn’t have anything to do with me," I insisted, staring at the carpet. I was telling the truth, I silently insisted. It wasn’t like I had called for water. Oh, sure. Please, Lady, I would like it to rain at the moment. I scoffed to myself. "I’m not a Mage," I told Tullon determinedly. "It was a coincidence."

He hesitated, before drawing me into another difficult dance I had learned earlier, promising it would get easier with practice. "What were you feeling right before the rain?" he asked in a tone of professional interest.

I sighed. "All right, Tullon, if you insist I’ll play along with this, but it wasn’t me." I thought back. What I remembered most was the ruined makeup Mariva and I sported, which had sent us into fits of laughter. Before that, though . . . "I was angry at Aiven, who was trying to drag me out of Sontái before I had a chance to stay goodbye to anyone. I, um, yelled. Pretty loud." I felt anger start to resurface at Aiven again, and forced it away. Still, couldn’t he have at least tried to be polite then?

"That’s probably it," Tullon said thoughtfully. I bit back a smile. For some reason, it always amused me when Tullon actually sounded thoughtful. It was so rare.

And I mean that in the kindest way possible.

"I told you that I felt your untrained magic," Tullon continued. "I would guess - and this is just a guess, mind - that, since you haven’t done any other magic since, yours is tied to emotion. You felt strong anger, and so you made it rain. Element-emotion magic is pretty unreliable, but yours should be different, considering who you are."

I tried to arc one eyebrow, failed miserably, and settled on raising both of them. I asked, "And exactly who would I be in this situation? Princess Laeliena or the Daughter of the Eternal Lah’nayin?" What a mouthful. Couldn’t my mother have had a shorter title?

"Laeliena, of course. The Daughter shouldn’t have that kind of powers." He shook his head. "Lord, you must give the Seers a headache, mixing up their prophecies like that. Imagine the Daughter and Princess being the same person!"

I rolled my eyes, being a little accustomed to this reaction. "I know, I know, and I’m terribly sorry a messed their prophecies up. Forgive me for not being born both now and four hundred years in the future - that is when they expected the Princess to show up, isn’t it?"

He nodded. "I’d like to try an experiment with your powers tomorrow, if you’re not busy," he asked. "In the morning."

I hesitated. I really should clear it with Aiven first, as he was supposed to be taking care of me, protecting me, etcetera. But considering how he hadn’t been near me all day, I figured it was his problem, not mine. "I’ll try," I said, "But I really don’t think I have any powers, not that I can control."

He grinned. "That’s why we’re experimenting," he said, and promised to come by in the morning. I thought about the rain, wondering if it really had been me, and if I could do it again without being highly emotional. My thoughts trailed to where I had been after the rain, saying good-byes . . . and that made me start. Tullon looked at me inquiringly, but I pasted a reassuring smile on my face. After arguing with Aiven, I had gone to the kitchens, where Johen was.

I had thought about him repetitively on our journey to Bast, but never had I felt such a strong surge of guilt. Here I was, practicing dance steps with a prince, and Johen was slaving away in a foreign castle because he’d followed me. He’d said it wasn’t my fault, that I shouldn’t blame myself for his bad luck, but I did. And though I had thought of him over and over again, I had never actually done anything. I was a princess, I reminded myself fiercely, as everyone else had been reminding me. Just think of the things I could do . . . I took a deep breath, a plan slowly forming in my head.

Then my deep, soulful resolve was interrupted by tripping over Tullon’s feet.

We were taking a break from the dances - I was teaching Tullon how to free himself from oppressors if he was bound and blindfolded - when Mariva returned. With an elegant bow and a kiss on the hand, Tullon left.

"He’s not that bad once you get past the superiority complex," I reflected as we munched on the chocolate truffles she had brought.

"Once you get past it or once you ignore it?" Mariva asked carefully.

"Past it," I said firmly. "Not forgotten, or forgiven. "He seems nice - we just have to make him less spoiled."

"That’ll take a while."

"It seems like its going to be a long war." We laughed, before lapsing into silence as we thought about the war itself.

"It seems pointless to me," Mariva said. "If you’re the one who makes the decision, why is there a war at all? Why don’t you just declare who you want to win?"

I shook my head. "I have no idea. It does seem wasteful, though. Maybe they think that they can change my mind, or trick me. Maybe I don’t even have a say in this at all. I don’t think I decide who the victor is - I think I just strongly influence it."

We thought about this for a moment, before simultaneously shaking our heads. "No more deep thoughts," Mariva said, and laughingly, I agreed. We turned a much more superficial subject.

"What are you going to wear to meet the Emperor?" Mariva asked, and as an answer I hauled her over to my chest of clothes. Digging through the various gowns and accessories I had legitimately acquired, and some of my accessories that I had not so legitimately received, I pulled out a gown of red silk embroidered with gold. "Lady Jainalii gave this to me as a parting gift," I said, laying it out on my bed. "I haven’t actually tried it on yet."

"It’s beautiful," Mariva said, touching they embroidered designs bordering the slit in the overskirt, and hem. She smiled wryly. "I don’t suppose you’ve thought about accessories?"

"Not in the least," I said cheerfully. "I plan to meet him barefoot, hair undone, and jeweless."

"And I plan to be as far away as possible when that happens," Mariva teased. We smiled, then Mariva sighed. "Then we have to have a dress made for the ball."

"In less than a week?" I said skeptically. None of the dresses I owned had when made for me; I had learned that process took weeks.

"You can get anything in less then a week for enough money," she said cynically. Then she brightened. "And we have lots of money. Everyone loves rushing to accommodate a Seer . . . not to mention royalty," she added innocently.

"Ugh," I muttered, flopping down on my bed. I waved a hand above me and said haughtily, "I am Princess Laeliena, serve my every whim." For some reason, this happened to be one of those random comments that set Mariva and me into a giggling fit. We couldn’t stop until the door was banged on, and forced our selves to calm down and act semi-responsible. Mariva jumped up to answer it as we smoothed our faces of laughter. We didn’t quite manage it, and we exchanged glances, hoping the guest was a friend so if we randomly burst into laughter, it would be understood.

"Oh, hello," Mariva said in a relieved voice, opening the door wider. "Come in."

I swallowed a scowl. I could immediately tell who it was, and while I was glad it wasn’t a random royal or Seer, I was annoyed Aiven would show up so late in the day.

"At least you showed up," I said aloud, glancing purposefully at the late afternoon sun. "I was beginning to think I’d have to introduce myself," I quipped, and watched as Aiven’s lips tightened.

Oh Lady, those lips . . .

I was sure I went as red as my hair and the gown lady Jainalii had gifted me with that thought. I couldn’t help remembering last night. But, holding to what seemed to be the individual Aiven Manner’s, he acted as if the kiss had never happened. This time my lips tightened. He had said he was sorry. It was completely possible that he wanted nothing to do with me.

"Good afternoon, Mariva," he said politely, then turned to me after she returned the greeting. "We need to prepare for your presentation tonight. Come with me." He turned around, and with a nod to Mariva, walked out of out rooms.

I made a face at Mariva. "Can’t you feel the love?" I muttered sarcastically, leaving her to laughter as I followed Aiven outside.

Chapter Twenty ::Attack of the Shrubs and Emperor Sair

We ended up walking through the Royal Maze. The Royal Maze seemed to be an synonym for miles of shrubbery that was impossible to escape from. I was beginning to suspect what happened to unpopular nobles or minor criminals. Instead of actually killing them, they were instead released into this maze, never to be seen again.

Aiven seemed unconcerned that we were going to die in the bushes. Maybe he somehow could foretell a way to get out, but that would probably be pushing my luck. Every so often I would hear a murmur of voices several shrubs away. To my surprise, none of them were screaming "help! help!" and pleading to be freed from this death trap.

I’m not very comfortable in enclosed shrubs.

Eventually we reached a dead end in the shape of a large circle. This was apparently where Aiven had been heading, for he sat down on one of the marble benches facing a fountain. Flowers were plotted around the fountain, forming a lovely, delicate picture that I’m sure I would have appreciated if I had known it wouldn’t be the last thing I saw. The tall green bushes still blocked everything from view. Finished scanning and realizing that the only choice I had was to stay with Aiven, no matter what, I sat down beside him.

"Why the secrecy?" I asked casually, eyeing the shrubs.

He shrugged. "I didn’t want to use one of the regular gardens and risk being interrupted and forced to make small talk. There’s only a few more hours before you’re introduced to Mage-King Sair, and I have a lot to teach you."

"Oh, that," I said, unable to feel smug. "I already know everything I need to know. Tullon taught me."

Aiven looked surprised. "And when was this?" he asked, as if he wasn’t quite sure if he believed me.

"This morning and afternoon," I said proudly. "I can now speak, eat, and dance in the presence of the Emperor."

His eyes narrowed, as if he was somehow annoyed. No doubt mourning the loss of being able to yell at me. "Fine," he said. "Show me the Opening Ballad. If you can get through that and the Ending no one will pay attention to most of the ones in-between." He leaned back, crossing his arms and watching me.

I let out an over exaggerated sigh. "Aiven, there’s no music. And you sort of need to stand up. I can’t dance by myself."

Ridiculous as this seemed, I suppose Aiven hadn’t thought of that. To my absolute delight, he turned a little red, and muttered what sounded like, "Maybe that’s not a good idea."

Thank you, Aiven. The fact that you don’t want to dance with me does wonders for my ego.

"Well," he continued, brushing back his hair with one hand and still looking slightly uncomfortable. "We should probably go over the manners anyway." With a long suffering look, I allowed him to drill me in Princess/Daughter of the Eternal Lah’nayin-meeting-Emperor manners, which mostly consisted of the same things Tullon had said: "This is what a princess should do, but since you’re - you - you can probably be different if you want."

"Aiven," I said, deciding there was no way to make this seem causal. "I’m a princess, right?"

Aiven widened his eyes with mock astonishment. "Remarkable! Did you figure that out all by yourself?"

I lifted my head to glare at him, but when I met his eyes they were dancing in amusement. Reluctantly, I smiled. "Actually, I did," I said airily. "And usually princesses have lots of money," I continued seriously.

"If you want a new dress, you just have to ask," Aiven commented, still seeming amused with me.

I didn’t laugh. "Do I?" I asked, watching him. "Do I have money that I can spend as I want?"

Aiven nodded, this time as serious as I was. His eyes narrowed. "You have money. But for now, I have to approve what you do with it. Why?"

I refused to let the fact that he had control over my money bother me at the moment. Instead I asked, "And Seers’ are rich as well? By far as rich as royalty?"

He wasn’t laughing anymore, only watching me as closely as I was watching him. "What do you want, Laeliena?" he asked flatly. That was what convinced me to come right out; when Aiven called me Laeliena, he was on the verge of definitely serious, not to mention unhappy with me.

I took a deep breath. "Remember Johen? You met him - briefly - in Sontái." I knew he remembered. He had been mentioned as the one I loved often enough.

"Johen," he repeated in a toneless voice. "What about him?"

I sat up straighter, feeling sincerely happy rather then the misery I’d felt the last few times I’d thought of Johen. "He mentioned in Sontái that it cost a large amount of gold to take the Quov’in stone from his wrist. But if we have money, we can do it! I’ve never really thought of myself having the resources a princess has, but I do." I met Aiven’s eyes, silently asking him to share my happiness, but running up against a blank wall. "Don’t you understand?" I tried to explain. "He can be freed from it. He won’t have to be trapped in the kitchens of a foreign country. I can give him enough to go home, or bring him here, or anything. He won’t suffer anymore!" I smiled enthusiastically at Aiven.

"Do you understand," Aiven said in a careful voice, "exactly what removing a Quov’in stone entails of?"

I rolled my eyes. "Honestly, Aiven, do you think I do? I’m a thief - a princess - the Daughter, not a Healer or Mage. Since you obviously do, why don’t you enlighten me?"

He continued in that careful, empty voice. "It’s not foolproof. It’s possible the subject will die from the removal, as it is possible they would die putting it in. More to the point, the three Healers required to remove it risk their lives as well. Quov’in Stones aren’t made to be taken out, so it’s a long complicated process. It’s not safe."

"Well, some people obviously do it, don't they?" I snapped, angry with Aiven. I knew it was unreasonable, but he was taking my joy out of finding a way to help Johen. "Look, people will do it for money. I just need to have enough. Do I?"

Along with carefully speaking, Aiven was now carefully not looking at me. "It takes a large amount of gold, as you said. You will need your money for your country."

"Aiven," I ground out, "do I, or do I not, have enough money - which I can spare - to pay for the stone to be taken out?"

"Is it that important that this Johen be helped?" He said that as if he already knew the answer, so I answered in turn.

"You know it is. I would do it for anyone, but especially for Johen. We grew up together. He’s family," I said determinedly.

Aiven finally looked up and met my eyes. He smiled lopsidedly at me. "Family," he said softly, and I remembered when he had once asked me if I loved Johen. I’d admitted to not being sure - did Aiven remember that? Did he even care? I looked away first this time.

"It’s really important, then, isn’t it?" Aiven said quietly. "Then yes, the money is not a problem. But -"

For a second I saw something in his eyes didn’t translate into anything I recognized. "But what?" I asked as softly as him.

"For the Quov’in stone to be removed . . ." He halfheartedly smiled. "There’s nothing else. It will be possible. It can be handled." He turned away, smile slipping into nonexistence.

It was easy to see he was hiding something, but it didn’t seem like something that would hurt Johen, so I assumed it could wait. For the moment I just waited, wondering if now that Aiven had decided to take care of the removal, he was done speaking. He wasn’t, of course. That would be letting me get away too easy.

"Do you ever wonder," he asked, sounding much more contemplative then I’d ever heard him sound before, "what it would be like if we didn’t live like this? If we weren’t all royalty and Mages and Seers and prophesied wonders? If we were all just common folk that liked in a village with nothing to worry about rather then if next year’s harvest would survive, rather then if next year the world would survive? What would happen if we didn’t have to be concerned about all the politics and were allowed to live and interact with people just based on our own concerns and feelings?"

Actually, I didn’t wonder. For most of my life, I’d actually wondered what it would be like to live on this side of the money line, not the other way around. I did, although, wonder about how many different facets Aiven had tucked away in his personality. I had never considered him as trapped by being a Seer as I was following his orders.

"You wouldn’t like it, Aiven," I replied softly, seriously. I moved to stand beside him. "You wouldn’t be able to live such a normal life."

He looked at me with raised brows, and I saw the spark in his eyes I was used to. It relieved me. The wistfulness that had been there a moment before had . . . scared me. "Was that a compliment or an insult?" he asked.

I bit back a smile. "A compliment, actually." He raised his brows even higher, and I blushed and looked away, realizing I’d just said I was complimenting him. "It’s that you aren’t like most people," I hurried on. "You just have that command, which though can be very irritating, makes you a leader. The best you could do as a villager would be as the village Headman or on the Town Council. You’re the kind of person who stands out and makes a difference." I kept my eyes on my feet, knowing that in the past five seconds I had said more kind things about him then I had in the entire time we’d known each other. "Not," I concluded tartly, "that it means I don’t mind putting up with you when you’re acting imperial and domineering. I do. And I don’t forgive you."

He laughed, and it dismayed me quite a bit how much I liked that laugh. Still, I cracked a small smile. "I think," Aiven said in an amused tone, "that we’d better go back t the palace. Consider how agreeable you are at the moment, you can only get worse, and that would be such a disappointment."

I mock glared at him and stuck my nose in the air, mimicking the tiny steps most ladies at Court confined themselves to. Smiling companionably, we walked back into the tangle of shrubs, preparing to dash through them again.

But I couldn’t quite forget the wistful look when Aiven had wondered what it would be like if we could act on are feelings. And I couldn’t stop wondering what Aiven - what I -would do if we were allowed to.

****************************************************************************************

We didn’t actually make it out of the maze right away. It seemed like we would, as Aiven confidently turned corners, sharing ridiculous pieces of court gossip with his own acrid comments inserted. It turned out, however, that he no more knew the way out of there then I did, not having bothered to mark the way in, and sheepishly admitting that finding the clearing was luck. We ended up spending an hour and a half wandering through it, as the time for my introduction to the Emperor drew nearer.

"It would be just be luck if we missed the audience being trapped into this thrice-cursed maze," I muttered. I scowled at the tall hedges we walked by. "I swear I saw that twig before," I said, glaring at the offending twig that stuck too far out of the hedge. We walked on.

We reached an intersection and stopped. "I’ve heard that if you chose one direction and keep to it you eventually leave the maze," Aiven offered hesitantly.

"We’d better, or I’m going to go mad," I told him. "I don’t think I can stand much more of these identical paths. I feel completely lost." Twenty minutes later after continuously going left, we reached a dead end.

I whirled around to glare at Aiven, who cautiously stepped backwards. "I guess that theory doesn’t work," he offered, unable to contain a smirk. I narrowed my eyes at him furiously, then lifted my head up the sky - and screamed.

A hand clapped over my mouth, cutting me short. Honey colored eyes blazed at me. "What in the Lady’s name are you doing?" he demanded.

"Getting us out of here," I said grimly once he removed his hand. "In case you haven’t noticed, we’re trapped, and I’m definitely too young to die.

He just looked at me, then stepped back. "Fine," he muttered. "Scream."

It turns out that no one really cares if there’s a screaming girl in the Royal Maze; I didn’t hear a single voice call out to ascertain I wasn’t being murdered. When I finally stopped, hoarse from yelling, Aiven narrowed his eyes. I thought that he was about to yell at me for really screaming - but I was wrong. Instead he jabbed a foot into the dense, scratchy hedge, and then a hand. He hoisted himself up on top of the seven-foot hedge, lying down on it to distribute his weight. "Well?" he said down to me. "Aren’t you coming?"

"And you call me ridiculous," I murmured, pulling myself up, which was much more difficult then Aiven made it seem. Interestingly enough, it was possible to crawl along the top of the hedge, occasionally jumping down and then up again as we made our way out of there. I don’t even want to think about what it looked like to the people in the maze, but I was just glad to be on my way to freedom. When we finally landed outside the hedges, I promptly sat down on the grass. "Lahtorli," I murmured, twigs sticking to my clothes and my hair, my dress tangled about me. "will never have any mazes. Never. And if it does, my first royal degree will be to destroy them."

Smirking, Aiven pulled me to my feet and led me back to my suite, saying I had twenty minutes to prepare to meet Mage-King Sair, Emperor of Bast.

****************************************************************************************

"Well," I asked Mariva nervously, "Do you think I’m ready to meet the Emperor?"

"Damslae," Mariva responded in a tone of deep satisfaction, "you’re ready to meet the Lady herself. Besides, I can hardly imagine you being made nervous meeting Mage-King Sair, considering all the other people you’ve met so far. I think," she said, smiling at me, "that you’re more interested in what a certain Seer thinks about you in your awfully pretty new dress."

"And I think a certain lady has had a little too much wine for supper," I retorted.

"Excuse me, I wasn’t the one who went climbing on top of Royal Hedges where just about anyone could have seen me," she said in mock reprimand. Dropping the act, she continued with a smile, "you have no idea how much I wish I could have been there. Of all the court activities."

"Oh, be quiet," I told her with a laugh. "You’re just jealous because I thought of it first."

"You’ve found me out," Mariva said innocently. "It’s exactly how I plan to spend my time with Corln on our next garden walk. Hedge-climbing: one of the main attractions of Bast."

I laughed and turned to the mirror. "Well," I said with a sigh. "I’m as ready as I’ll ever be."

"Trust me, you’re far more ready then I’ve ever been," Mariva said, grinning, and I stuck my tongue out at her. "Go on," she told me, "before I start making kissing sounds. And that will be awful hard to explain to Aiven if he walks in here." She left her seat and looked me in the face. "You’ll do fine," she said reassuringly. "Just remember, everyone here is trying their hardest to make you happy. They’ll be too busy being nervous to notice if you’re nervous." Kissing me on the cheek, she spun me around and opened the door. "Have fun," she said merrily, and closed it tightly. I immediately felt as if I had lost my lifeline.

Aiven was looking at a tapestry went I entered the stairwell, but quickly turned to face me. I swallowed hard. Again, he looked resplendent in the Seers’ long, flowing robes. This time, though, he had a sash around his waist, under most of the robes but still visible. On it was a square shaped plaque with a horizontal line cutting it in half. I recognized the picture on the lower part; it was Sontái’s crest. The upper part was, at a guess, Aiven’s own sign. Again, the white fabric seemed to move though there was no wind. My eyes wandered to the pendant at his neck, the one with the rune on it. "What does that mean?" I asked, raising my eyes to his, which in this light were a dark, dark brown, rather then amber as they were when sunlight hit them.

It seemed to take a few seconds for the words to reach him, for which I was profoundly grateful. Mariva and I had sent hours on my appearance. My dark, dark red gown, several shades darker then my hair, had a high waist and split skirt. The material of the bodice and overskirt was very sheer, but layered together to make it cloudlike, almost. It floated down at the skirt over the red velvet underskirt, and the edges were embroidered in brilliant gold leaf and flower designs. My hair was pinned to my head in tight coils, except for two long side strands that hung down my face. The red earrings Lady Jainalii had given me when I was presented to Sontái’s court were in, and I wore a favorite plain gold ring of mine. A gold chain was around my neck, half way between my neck and the moderately low scoop neckline.

Aiven’s eyes swept overly for barely a second before he fixed them on my face, but I was certain - well, almost certain - that he was impressed. He smiled slightly. "A Seer’s secret," he said casually, offering his arm.

I stared at it in suspicion. "Aiven, we have a long, narrow stairs to descend, a courtyard to cross, and who knows how much of the castle to navigate before we reach the audience room. Why are you offering your arm now?"

He dropped it like he had been stung. "Instinctive politeness," he muttered. "Lord only knows why I was showing it to you." He turned around, jaw clenching, and began to walk down the stairs.

I stared after him in astonishment. "You can’t be mad at me!" I burst out. "I haven’t done anything! I was just being practical." I moved a few steps after him, then stopped as he turned around to look up at me from three steps below. "You look very nice," I offered weakly, knowing the comment was no help, not to mention that it didn’t even begin to cover how Aiven looked.

He looked up, meeting my eyes. "And you look lovely," he said, his face polite, blank. He gestured briskly down the stairs. "We should move. I don’t want to be late." He turned around and continued walking down the stairs, as I looked after him, stunned. That was all? A blank face and an impersonal compliment? And I love you too, Aiven, I thought sarcastically as I hurried after him.

"Shouldn’t you wait for the special guest at dinner?" I asked as I reached him. "After all, there wouldn’t be much of an audience if there’s no one to introduce.

He raised an eyebrow. "I have no doubt that you would have managed to get there even if I abandoned you," he said.

"I want to know why you’re considering abandoning me," I muttered under my breath. He only smiled, and opened a door.

I looked into it warily. "What’s this?"

"The Mage-Way." He opened his hand to reveal a flat circular token. "Transportation for the privileged."

"You mean the rich and lazy."

"Well yes," Aiven laughed. "Just about." He stepped inside, and pulled me in with him. I was a little bit uncertain about this, considering how it was supposed to carry people quickly down to the ground. Plus, the room’s walls were slightly hazy, so that I couldn’t quite see them. They looked like white walls obscured by haze, and when I looked down and up there was a hazy white ceiling and floor. It was slightly unnerving. Aiven closed the door, then pressed the token into a slot in the side. Taking two steps, he stood next to me - and then the colors started.

It was like the white mist turned blue and shot across the room from the ceiling, then one of the side walls shot purple mist then another was projecting green, then a myriad of colors from every conceivable directions, tangling and entwining with each other, though never blending. I felt a slight, stomach lurching sensation and stumbled, tripping. Then, as fast as they had come they were gone, leaving only the white mist and I was receiving a very close view of Aiven’s white robed chest.

Blushing furiously, I stumbled upright with the help of Aiven’s arms. He was looking slightly amused, which I supposed was better then the indifference he had shown earlier. "Why didn’t you hold on to something?" he asked, like it was obvious. He indicated rails on the hazy walls, which I hadn’t noticed before.

"Maybe because you didn’t tell you and I’ve never been this way before?"

He looked at me in astonishment as he retrieved his token and opened the door. "Then how did you reach your rooms?"

"I climbed," I grumbled, and Aiven burst out laughing.

****************************************************************************************

Considering all the expectations of me acting like an idiot, my introduction was fine. There was no repeat incident like when I was first ate with the Sontái Court, and spilled the bowl of marbles which the serving boys slipped and crashed on. Tonight, I was on my absolute best behavior. I curtsied correctly, spoke correctly, smiled correctly, ate correctly, breathed correctly, blinked correctly - all in all, I felt like a trained dog. At least, I’m sure I would have if I had really been paying much attention to myself rather then what I couldn’t do. Most of my attention was fixed on the Emperor.

He was sitting on his throne when I entered, but even sitting, he looked imperial. He was exactly what a classic Emperor should look like; in the middle of his fifties, he was tall, well built, and radiated power. His face was serious but had laugh lines, and his black hair was interspersed with gray. The first thing I noticed about him was the sense of keen brilliance that was held in his eyes.

All right, I lied. The first thing I noticed was that the gold chain he was wearing would go fabulously with my eyes, but that was beside the point. The first important thing I noticed was his intelligence.

Some official at his right introduced me, complete with every title I had, every title the Eternal Lah’nayin had, and every title that was feeling neglected and so had to be brought back into the spotlight for a moment.

The dinner was small, consisting of only Aiven, Mage-King Sair, Corln, the other Mage - Lauten? - and myself. Oh, and two of the Emperor’s advisors, Duke so and so and Vizier so and so, but I was too nervous to pay much attention. I did exactly as Tullon had instructed, and if I mixed up my spoons, no one seemed to notice.

Even Aiven seemed to relax a little. Then, when Vizier so and so started to speak, his eyes glazed over - and with boredom, not a vision. I began to breathe slowly, an not worry about what was going on as much. Small bites, nice smiles, nodding head - I was positive I hadn’t given Aiven a single thing to complain about. When the dinner ended, I graciously said goodnight, everyone curtsied and bowed, and the Emperor bid me a warm farewell and left. Then I glided across and out of the room on Aiven’s arm, and the door a closed behind us.

I spun around to face Aiven immediately, not caring we were in full view of the soldiers guarding the door. ‘Well?" I exclaimed, "How was I?" I couldn’t help grinning, feeling an enormous amount of success. Even Aiven, who had barely said a word to me all dinner, must have been impressed.

"You acted like a true princess," he said blandly.

I frowned, my happiness draining away with his one phrase. "What’s that supposed to mean?" I asked. Aiven didn’t seem too fond of real princesses.

He sighed in aggravation. "You’re reading too much into it. You were perfect, Laeliena."

Damslae, I corrected silently, unreasonably hurt. "Well, do you think I’ll be ready for the banquet?" I asked, forcing a smile.

He shrugged. "Yes. I suppose Tullon’s showing you the dances?"

"He did today, but I thought you were going to," I replied, sounding a little irritated myself.

"Why ruin what’s working?"

I gave an exaggerated sigh. "All right, Aiven, what’s wrong?"

He looked puzzled. "Wrong?"

I glared at him. He glared back at me. One of the guards coughed, and everyone glared at him - including the other two guards, who had been listening intensely to our conversation.

Aiven started walking, so I hurried to catch up. Neither of us said anything until we exited the main castle and started walking across to the Towers. In the middle of the lantern lit path, Aiven stopped and turned to face me. I was an inch away from crashing into him; both of us immediately stepped back.

"Damslae," he said, looking at me, seemingly troubled - and when was Aiven ever troubled? "I - are you sure - ?" He stopped, and just looked at me.

"What?" I asked, half bemused, half annoyed.

He looked away, jaw clenching and unclenching. "About the -" he started again, then stopped with a groan. "Never mind," he said tightly.

Never mind? Not likely. "Tell me," I pressed, tilting my head.

He shut his eyes. "It doesn’t matter," he said. "I’ll take care of it."

I looked at him warily. "You’ll take care of what?"

He shook his head, and I stared at him in growing aggravation. "What are you going on about?" I demanded.

"Nothing."

"Obviously not nothing, if you’re having so much trouble talking about it," I said scathingly. "You can’t possibly not tell me after you’ve gone on about this mystery.

His teeth clenched. "I don’t want you hurt, Damslae," he finally said, and then flushed and started walking towards the Towers, as if he had said too much. I followed, bewildered to his meaning but unwilling to press. What did he think would hurt me?

"Have you found anything else out about removing Johen’s stone?" I asked in an attempt to change the topic.

He stiffened. "Yes," he said tightly.

"And?" I prodded, feeling my excitement rise. "When can it happen?"

"It will be soon. I’ve already sent out letters to some professional Healers.

I smiled at his back. "Thank you," I said sincerely. I hesitated, then continued; "How painful will it be?"

He paused, then determinedly continued forward. "It will not hurt Johen very much, or very long," he said stiffly.

"But there’s the possibility of death," I fretted, knowing I should stop talking but unable to.

For the second time, Aiven spun around. This time his eyes were blazing. Before I met Aiven, I had never thought brown could look so much like fire, I thought dazedly.

"Your precious Johen will be fine, all right? I’m doing everything possible so that he’ll be fine. There’s no need for you to worry about him in the least. I’ll take care of it."

"So majestic of you, taking care of everything," I automatically retorted, then could have slapped myself. I was so used to shooting answering volleys that it often seemed hard to carry a calm, rational discussion with Aiven. Actually, I didn’t think I’d ever had a rational discussion with Aiven before. We always became too wrapped up in what we were talking about.

Aiven pushed his hair back in a frustrated motion. "You wouldn’t want to take care of this," he said in a clipped voice that I heard truth in. I swallowed, wondering exactly what entailed in removing a Quov’in stone.

In silence, we entered the Tower, and Aiven produced the Mage token again, and we moved quickly through the swirling lights. I thought he was going to leave me at my door without a simple goodnight, and I had too much pride to be the first one to speak. Leaning against my door, I watched him take several steps up the staircase.

Be that way, I thought sulkily, turning and opening the door. I felt another completely irrational knot in my stomach, and my eyes felt too heavy.

"Damslae?"

I spun around, to see a fleeting smile cross Aiven’s face. "I don’t think I ever told you that you look breathtaking," he said, his eyes meeting mine. He smiled again, a little sadly, and then disappeared up the stairway.

I went to sleep with a much lighter heart then I would have a few moments before.